Significant and Premium Investor Visa Programs

How to apply for a Significant Investor Visa (SIV)

Before applying for a Significant Investor Visa (SIV), applicants need to be nominated by a state or territory government or Austrade. Austrade can nominate applicants and it can also refer applicants to states and territories for nomination.

The advantage of a state or territory government nomination is that they provide ongoing support for SIV investors by assisting with settlement and connecting investors to support services and local information after arrival. If potential applicants are interested in being nominated by a state or territory government they can access the relevant links on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s webpage.

Potential applicants who are interested in being referred by Austrade to a state or territory government for nomination consideration can complete the Austrade referral form. There is no fee for referral but Austrade will undertake a background check before referring applicants to a state or territory government.

Potential applicants interested in being nominated by Austrade, can complete an Austrade nomination form. Austrade charges a $1,000 application fee and will undertake a background check on all applicants.

SIV fees

Austrade charges a non-refundable fee of $1,000 for applications for SIV nomination. States and territories charge lesser fees and some do not charge any fees. Please refer to the relevant state or territory for more information.

For information about SIV application fees, please see the Department of Immigration and Border Protection information on fees and charges.

Premium Investor Visa (PIV) nominations

The Premium Investor Visa (PIV) pilot program was rolled out in 2016, focusing on attracting a small number of highly talented and entrepreneurial individuals to Australia who can contribute those skills and talents into areas which deliver long-term economic benefit to the country.

The PIV is available at the invitation of the Australian Government only, with potential recipients nominated by Austrade. Unsolicited expressions of interest are not accepted. Please note Austrade will not be nominating for the PIV while the review of Australia’s business, investment and talent visas, which includes the PIV, is underway. For more information on this review, please consult the DIBP website.

Contact

Questions about the SIV and PIV complying investment framework or Austrade nomination for a SIV can be directed to Austrade’s Investor Visa Unit by emailing investorvisas@austrade.gov.au.

Any questions about the expression of interest and application process for the SIV, including the assessment of complying investments, should be directed to DIBP by emailing business.innovation@border.gov.au.

Disclaimer

This is for information only and is not advice. Any person relying on this information does so entirely at their own risk and Austrade urges any user to seek professional advice before making any decision. Austrade denies liability for any loss arising from reliance on information provided on this website.